Pyrotechinc wheel



' Feb. 8, 1927.

.1. H. SHUNK. JR

-PYROTECHNIC WHEEL Filed May 14. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Feb. 8, 1927..

7 JAMES rrjs nuuxfanfor'nosoonfrtmnois.Q

rviiornonmo W'HEEL.

Application. filed May 14 This invention relates to a pyrotechnical iwheel of the type adapted'torotate under the impulse supplied by pyrotechnical Ina-1 terials carried thereby.

in various sizes, some of-thembeing a" number of feet in diameter. These wheels carry pyrotechnical unlts commonly called drlvers,

adapted to cause the rotation ofthewheel andalso often carry,flin addition,'efi:ects,the sole purpose of which is to produce a pleasing appearance when the wheel is rotated.

These wheels are normally constructed at the factory wherethe pyrotechnical drivers and effects are attached and the fuses connected. The railroads and f-transportation companies 7 require that inflammable and ;ex--

. plosive substances, such, as pyrotechnical 4 as seen from above;

compounds, be enclosed in heavy wooden boxes and a relatively high freight rate is charged. The manufacture of a box of the required character and-of a size sufliclent to hold a wheel which may besix oreight feet in diameter is very] large; also the weight of such a box' adds very materially to the transportation cost, the; box often materially exceeding in weight the contained pyrotechnics. V r a It is an objectof the present invent onto provide a pyrotechnical spinning wheel which can be collapsed so as to occupy but small space during transport;

It is an additional object to provide a wheel of this character which is composed of but few parts and adapted for assembly by unskilled labor. s v

' It is alsov an object 130 provide a wheel' provided with a f-elly or rim which is flexible or collapsible, and adapted to positively retain the spokes in place against'the effect of centrifugal force.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds. 3 p

I have illustrated certain preferred embodiments of my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which 7 I Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of wheel;

Figure 2 is a side view of F igurel with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a cross section showing the;

hub construction; n I v r 1 g Figure 4 1s a view s milar to Flgu re 1, showing a modified form of construction;

Pyrotechnical spinning wheels are made Fi ure 5 is a view of the wheel of Figure r1926. Serial No. 159,000;

Figure 6 isa viewof the wheel of Figure 4; as seen from thefside with the rim reo d; m Q I igure 'Zis a fragmentary section showing thehubconstruction;-and i ff F'gure. 8 j is a fragmentary: section; taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7. j' I f Referring first to the -{form of construction shown in-Figuresl to -3, the wheel com prises the jmet-alli'c hub 11 into which are fitted the spokesl l2, the ends of which are surrounded by the flexiblerim; 13. As shown in Figure 3', thefhub may be former of-two pieces 14, of case metal, secured ;together to form the spokesockets. It is obvious, however that the hub may be form-edof stamped metal oriwood or other material ifdesired. f-The spokes 12 may be formed of, wood or metal tubing or other 'material. The rim 13 nay consist of, a

flexible strip of metal-or of suitable non- 22. These drivers may-be of any usual con-' struction known in. the pyrotechnical art, and their detailed constructionforms; no part of the presentinvention, The discharge from thedrivers mayconstitute the entire effect from the wheel or additional effects 23 may be secured tothe spokes; these effects being connected by the fuse or quick match 24. The ends of the fuses 22 and 2 1 may be connected as indicated at 25, so that both effects and drivers maybe simultane-- ously ignited. V n

. Referring now to the form of oonstruction shown inFigures 4: to 8, the wheel consists of a plurality of separate elements fitted upon the axle 30 and retainedin place by the washers 31 and nuts 32. These sections each comprise a hub member 33 and the spoke 34 extending therefrom. In the form shown there are six sections, and as clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6, thespokes of different sections extend at varying angles to the sections so that the outer ends of all of the spokes are located in a common plane. The meeting faces of the sections are stepped, as indicated at 35 of Figures 5 and 6, and as clearly shown in the section in Figure 8. These steps are so related to the spokes borne by the several sections that when the sections are rotated to bring the steps 35 into engagement the spokes are properly spaced. It will be understood that by releasing one or both of the nuts 32 the sections may be sufliciently separated sothat the steps 35 will clear each other and the sections may be rotated to bring all of the spokes together in approximately the same radial direction.

The outer ends of the spokes carry the rim which comprises a plurality of sections 36 which may be formed of any suitable material, such as sheet metal, and which are concaved outwardly, as shown in Figure 5. 7

These sections 36 are hingedly connected at 37 to the links 38 adapted to be fitted upon the outer ends of the spokes. These links 38 are provided with elongated slots 39 through which are passed the screw-eyes 40 which are rotated to retain the rim inplace. The rim is provided with two short sections 41 which are connected by screw bolts 42 and the turnbuckle '43. ,The drlvers 44 are secured-to sections 36 and rest in the rim then may be closely coiled or bent back and forth upon itself to occupy a very small space. Similarly, the spokes'may be ivithdrawn from the sockets in the, hub 14 and placed parallel to each other. The'hubthen may be packed with the spokes and therim, all forming a package of very small dimension, which can be readily assembled by unskilled labor to forma' wheel. If desired, the drivers and effects need not be attached until the wheel is assembled. In this case the pyrotechnical elements may be packed and shipped in a separate box and the hub, spokes and rim may be shipped without requiring the special containers necessary for pyrotechnics. -It will be understood that in the use of the wheel it will be ordinarily supported in a vertical position by means of any suitable metal axle, such as a large spike or bolt extending horizontally from a post or tree.

The form of construction shown in Figures 4 to 8 may be knocked down by removing the rim as explained in connection with the other form of device, and by then loosening the nut 32 and separating the sections axially and rotating them to bring the spokes together. When so knocked down thewheel occupies a comparatively small space and requires a relatively small shipping container; As with the other form, the drivers and effects may be shipped separately and attached after the wheel-is assembled. 1n this form the axle 30 serves as a pivot about which the wheel rotates under the impulse of the drivers and this axle may be supported'in any suitable manner.

I have illustratedcertain embodiments of my invention by way of example but it is to be understoodthat I contemplate such further changes and modifications as may come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A- collaps'ible pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub structure, a removable rim, and spokes movablerelative to theaxis of the hub structure whereby the wheel may be collapsed for transportation. a

2.'A collapsibl" pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub structure, a removable rim, said rim being collapsible, and spokes movable relative to the axis of the hub structure whereby the wheel may be collapsed for transportation. i I 3. collapsible pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub structure, a removable rim, said rim being collapsible and having pyrotechnic driving elements secured thereto, and spokes movable relative to the axis of the hub structure whereby the wheel may be collapsed for transportation.

4. A collapsible pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub structure, spokes, a removable flexible rim, and means carried by the ends of the spokes to detachably retain the rim in place thereon.

5. A collapsible pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub structure, spokes removably secured to the hub, a removable flexible rim, and means carried by the ends of the spokes to detachably retain the rim in place thereon.

6. A collapsiblepyrotechnic wheel com prising a hub structure, spokes fitted therein, and a removable rim, said rim comprising a strip of flexible material and connecting means for the end of the strip whereby the rim may be tightened about the spokes.

7 A collapsible pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub structure, spokes fitted therein, a removable rim, said rim comprising a strip of flexible material and connecting means for the end of the strip whereby the rim may be tightened about the spokes, and pyrotechnic driving elements secured to the flexible rim.

8. A collapsible pyrotechnic wheel comprising a hub, radial spoke sockets formed in the hub, spokes reinovably fitted in said sockets, a flexible rim adapted to be fitted about the ends of the spokes, and adjustable means for tightening the rim about the ends of the spokes.

9. A collapsible pyrotechnic Wheel comprising a hub, radial spoke sockets formed in the hub, spokes removably fitted in said sockets, a flexible rim adapted to be fitted about'the ends of the spokes, securing means carried by the spokes extending through the rim, and adjustable means for tightening the rim about the ends of the spokes.

Signed at Roscoe, Illinois, this 7th day of May, 1926.

JAMES H. sHUNn, Ji. 

